EP3 Set-up?
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EP3 Set-up?
Hey guys...I've already got a good idea of what I wanna do...
But I thought I'd get some opinions from you guys.
Right now....stock.....and I plan to run a few events that way, to "learn the car". (Lesson learned from the EM2)
Future....within two months..... Progress Springs or Ground Control springs (custom spring rate? what do you recommend for the EP3's?....best guess?)
After that, it'll be the Progress Rear Sway bar/tie bar.
Then...when the winter hits, and I have more overtime available....
Either JIC's or TEIN Flex with EDFC (Haven't decided yet....opinions?)
Inbetween there somewhere, I'll be stiffening the rear with either the Cusco Rear Strut bar, or Mugen Rear Strut bar (for the DC5, some mod required)...and maybe a front strut bar (I've got too much "hop" in the corners with the stock suspension).
Overall....the stock suspension for the 04 EP3 is pretty damn nice. I'm impressed, and on my "fun road" I've almost gotten it up to the old EM2's level...but the stock tires SUCK....so I'm affraid of going off the side of a cliff, lol.
So.....I know you guys don't have to deal with EP3's too often...but some helpfull input would be GREAT!!! (Like ideas for custom spring rates)
THANKS!!!
But I thought I'd get some opinions from you guys.
Right now....stock.....and I plan to run a few events that way, to "learn the car". (Lesson learned from the EM2)
Future....within two months..... Progress Springs or Ground Control springs (custom spring rate? what do you recommend for the EP3's?....best guess?)
After that, it'll be the Progress Rear Sway bar/tie bar.
Then...when the winter hits, and I have more overtime available....
Either JIC's or TEIN Flex with EDFC (Haven't decided yet....opinions?)
Inbetween there somewhere, I'll be stiffening the rear with either the Cusco Rear Strut bar, or Mugen Rear Strut bar (for the DC5, some mod required)...and maybe a front strut bar (I've got too much "hop" in the corners with the stock suspension).
Overall....the stock suspension for the 04 EP3 is pretty damn nice. I'm impressed, and on my "fun road" I've almost gotten it up to the old EM2's level...but the stock tires SUCK....so I'm affraid of going off the side of a cliff, lol.
So.....I know you guys don't have to deal with EP3's too often...but some helpfull input would be GREAT!!! (Like ideas for custom spring rates)
THANKS!!!
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Why get springs/sleeves when you are going to swap them out with true coils? That is a waste of money. EDFC is a gimmick. Tein will have better customer service than JIC. Compare spring rates and the difference between front and rear. The progress bars are nice. I don't know what to suggest for you to start with.
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From: Washington DC
Rep Power: 424 All knowledge from the EM2 should carry over. Only difference being more weight over the front end. Change the rear sway bar, get some stiff stuff, adjust the front sway bar to suit your level of tail happiness.
As far as JIC/Tein... both their customer services aren't the best. But I have had better luck getting straight answers from JIC than I did from Tein while I was shopping.
After the fact, the JIC people have been pretty helpful about sorting little issues out.
EDFC isn't legal for racing, so just forget about it.
As far as JIC/Tein... both their customer services aren't the best. But I have had better luck getting straight answers from JIC than I did from Tein while I was shopping.
After the fact, the JIC people have been pretty helpful about sorting little issues out.
EDFC isn't legal for racing, so just forget about it.
Autocross Junky
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Rep Power: 380 Test-n-Tune... But to start, I get a set of konis.
Grassroots Motorsports did a build up of an EP3 a few years ago, they ran Konis with ground controls + ground controls camber plates.
They started out with 550LB/in front and 900LB/in rears, and although the car handled great, they felt that it was WAY too stiff for any kind of street use, so They droped it to a Less Filling rattling rate of 425LB/in front and 550 LB/In rear.
heres the whole histroy of the car
http://www.grmotorsports.com/02civicsi.html
Only down side I see with the EP3 over the EM2 is the extra weight, but you should be able to make up the loss in handling by having more power for the straights.
Grassroots Motorsports did a build up of an EP3 a few years ago, they ran Konis with ground controls + ground controls camber plates.
They started out with 550LB/in front and 900LB/in rears, and although the car handled great, they felt that it was WAY too stiff for any kind of street use, so They droped it to a Less Filling rattling rate of 425LB/in front and 550 LB/In rear.
heres the whole histroy of the car
http://www.grmotorsports.com/02civicsi.html
Only down side I see with the EP3 over the EM2 is the extra weight, but you should be able to make up the loss in handling by having more power for the straights.
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Rep Power: 0 Why dont you stiffen up with strut bars while on the stock suspension first? Then go with a coilover system with adjustability. What about the tein ss? Or if you want performance over street, the mugen or spoon suspension systems(money will be an issue here)?
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Originally Posted by robbclark1
Why get springs/sleeves when you are going to swap them out with true coils? That is a waste of money. EDFC is a gimmick. Tein will have better customer service than JIC. Compare spring rates and the difference between front and rear. The progress bars are nice. I don't know what to suggest for you to start with.
True...it IS a waste of money....for now. GC's will run me about $200 MAX....and they'll last me for quite some time...until I can save up enough for FULL coilovers.
I guess my reason for sleeves v. coils is GC's have been used...and WON with on MANY cars.
My reasoning for going with GC's v. waiting for FULL coilovers...is..well...I'm just impatient, lol. And I'm tired of my EP3 looking like it's a damn 4x4, lol.
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Originally Posted by Boilermaker1
All knowledge from the EM2 should carry over.
Only difference being more weight over the front end. Change the rear sway bar, get some stiff stuff, adjust the front sway bar to suit your level of tail happiness.
As far as JIC/Tein... both their customer services aren't the best. But I have had better luck getting straight answers from JIC than I did from Tein while I was shopping.
After the fact, the JIC people have been pretty helpful about sorting little issues out.
After the fact, the JIC people have been pretty helpful about sorting little issues out.
EDFC isn't legal for racing, so just forget about it.
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Originally Posted by Zzyzx
Test-n-Tune... But to start, I get a set of konis.
Grassroots Motorsports did a build up of an EP3 a few years ago, they ran Konis with ground controls + ground controls camber plates.
They started out with 550LB/in front and 900LB/in rears, and although the car handled great, they felt that it was WAY too stiff for any kind of street use, so They droped it to a Less Filling rattling rate of 425LB/in front and 550 LB/In rear.
heres the whole histroy of the car
http://www.grmotorsports.com/02civicsi.html
Only down side I see with the EP3 over the EM2 is the extra weight, but you should be able to make up the loss in handling by having more power for the straights.
Grassroots Motorsports did a build up of an EP3 a few years ago, they ran Konis with ground controls + ground controls camber plates.
They started out with 550LB/in front and 900LB/in rears, and although the car handled great, they felt that it was WAY too stiff for any kind of street use, so They droped it to a Less Filling rattling rate of 425LB/in front and 550 LB/In rear.
heres the whole histroy of the car
http://www.grmotorsports.com/02civicsi.html
Only down side I see with the EP3 over the EM2 is the extra weight, but you should be able to make up the loss in handling by having more power for the straights.
Excellent stuff! THANK YOU!!!
BTW...the gain in power for the straights will be VERY nice...but I think it's a null point being as the weight distribution is so F'd up that (at my current driving ability) I won't be able to compensate during the entrance/exit of a corner to really benefit...
...but I'll get better eventually!!! 
AND the BTCC Civic Type-R's give me hope...if THEY can do it...I CAN DO IT!!! (With enough $$ and enough PRACTICE!!! lol) 
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Rep Power: 380 Fatty, I may have a Proposition for ya....
Hotchkis makes a sport sway bar set, with a 25.4mm front bar and a 25.4mm rear bar.
both are 2 point adjustible (hollow). Now, I'm only interested in the Rear bar, and Hotchkis told me flat out that they will not sell me Just the rear bar.
So heres my Proposition. If I were to order the whole set, would you be interested in buying the front bar that I'm not going to use? (it should fit the Si) it comes with bushings and brackets but no endlinks.
Hotchkis makes a sport sway bar set, with a 25.4mm front bar and a 25.4mm rear bar.
both are 2 point adjustible (hollow). Now, I'm only interested in the Rear bar, and Hotchkis told me flat out that they will not sell me Just the rear bar.
So heres my Proposition. If I were to order the whole set, would you be interested in buying the front bar that I'm not going to use? (it should fit the Si) it comes with bushings and brackets but no endlinks.
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Originally Posted by Zzyzx
Fatty, I may have a Proposition for ya....
Hotchkis makes a sport sway bar set, with a 25.4mm front bar and a 25.4mm rear bar.
both are 2 point adjustible (hollow). Now, I'm only interested in the Rear bar, and Hotchkis told me flat out that they will not sell me Just the rear bar.
So heres my Proposition. If I were to order the whole set, would you be interested in buying the front bar that I'm not going to use? (it should fit the Si) it comes with bushings and brackets but no endlinks.
Hotchkis makes a sport sway bar set, with a 25.4mm front bar and a 25.4mm rear bar.
both are 2 point adjustible (hollow). Now, I'm only interested in the Rear bar, and Hotchkis told me flat out that they will not sell me Just the rear bar.
So heres my Proposition. If I were to order the whole set, would you be interested in buying the front bar that I'm not going to use? (it should fit the Si) it comes with bushings and brackets but no endlinks.
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Rep Power: 380 Ive been looking around for good deals on the pacage,
Hotchkiss Lists it at $299, but I've found it at other sites for around 270-280.
I was thinking of Half the total cost? so thats around $130
I'm probably going to get the set any way, but if I could get rid of the front bar it would be more of an insentive to get it sooner. (I have a little 89 Si that I need to chase down
)
Hotchkiss Lists it at $299, but I've found it at other sites for around 270-280.
I was thinking of Half the total cost? so thats around $130
I'm probably going to get the set any way, but if I could get rid of the front bar it would be more of an insentive to get it sooner. (I have a little 89 Si that I need to chase down
) 
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Originally Posted by Zzyzx
Ive been looking around for good deals on the pacage,
Hotchkiss Lists it at $299, but I've found it at other sites for around 270-280.
I was thinking of Half the total cost? so thats around $130
I'm probably going to get the set any way, but if I could get rid of the front bar it would be more of an insentive to get it sooner. (I have a little 89 Si that I need to chase down )
Hotchkiss Lists it at $299, but I've found it at other sites for around 270-280.
I was thinking of Half the total cost? so thats around $130
I'm probably going to get the set any way, but if I could get rid of the front bar it would be more of an insentive to get it sooner. (I have a little 89 Si that I need to chase down
)Well...if you can CONFIRM that the front will fit my EP3...and it's around $130. You got a deal. Gimme about a week or two to get the $$ allocated for it, and we're golden.
Oh...and if that front fits the EP3...will an '03 coupe front sway fit the EP3?
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Originally Posted by Sickboy
Konis...hotchkis bar... hey did zzyzx win the lotto?
Congrats on the new wheels fattymcj. Wait a sec, does this mean you still have my old front sway?
Congrats on the new wheels fattymcj. Wait a sec, does this mean you still have my old front sway?
Yup...I still got it. I didn't give the dealer ANYTHING aftermarket that I had on it. lol
Gotta try and recoup some of my money! lol
Autocross Junky
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Rep Power: 380 I dont think the EM2 front bar will fit, somethign about the catilitic converter being in the way. (At least the EX bar wont fit, Dont know about the others).
I'll ask around to see if it will fit.
I'll ask around to see if it will fit.
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Originally Posted by Zzyzx
I dont think the EM2 front bar will fit, somethign about the catilitic converter being in the way. (At least the EX bar wont fit, Dont know about the others).
I'll ask around to see if it will fit.
I'll ask around to see if it will fit.
Yeah...just find out if the front bar of your set will fit my 04 EP3...and shoot me the info, and I'll be down like a clown
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Rep Power: 380 Looks like the RSX front bar will fit..
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40748
I'll see if I can find more to support that.
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40748
I'll see if I can find more to support that.
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Originally Posted by robbclark1
The EP3/DC5 bars will fit each other, but the the EM/ES bars won't fit on the DC5/EP3 and vice versa.
With that in mind...Zzyzx...you're getting the DC5 bar? and you think that will fit YOUR car? I'm lost now, lol, I KNOW the DC5 bar will fit MY EP3...but how are you gonna make it fit your EM2?
But if you wanna do the deal, I'm in. Just lemme know the details of when, where, and how, and it'll be all good.
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Rep Power: 380 ON our cars the EM2, DC5 and EP3 ect.... all pretty much have interchangable rear suspensions... Infact just about all of the suspension parts are interchangalbe, with the exception of the front anti-roll bars.
The only concern I have for the rear bar is if it will clear the exaust. (Not that I would mind geting rid of my current exaust)
The only concern I have for the rear bar is if it will clear the exaust. (Not that I would mind geting rid of my current exaust)
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Originally Posted by Zzyzx
ON our cars the EM2, DC5 and EP3 ect.... all pretty much have interchangable rear suspensions... Infact just about all of the suspension parts are interchangalbe, with the exception of the front anti-roll bars.
The only concern I have for the rear bar is if it will clear the exaust. (Not that I would mind geting rid of my current exaust)
The only concern I have for the rear bar is if it will clear the exaust. (Not that I would mind geting rid of my current exaust)
Ahh...so yer gonna get the DC5 bars, and I'll buy the front one off ya?
Sounds good. Like I said, lemme know when and how you wanna do it, and we're good to go.
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Rep Power: 0 just about all suspension bits from the EM2 will fit the EP3, as well as parts from the DC5.
i agree that the stock tires suck, when i put my 215/45-17 kumhos on, WOW! the front end friggin DUG in and she turned so awesome! its weird cause with the same 17" treads, my old EM2 never reacted like that...
i agree that the stock tires suck, when i put my 215/45-17 kumhos on, WOW! the front end friggin DUG in and she turned so awesome! its weird cause with the same 17" treads, my old EM2 never reacted like that...
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Originally Posted by Zzyzx
ON our cars the EM2, DC5 and EP3 ect.... all pretty much have interchangable rear suspensions... Infact just about all of the suspension parts are interchangalbe, with the exception of the front anti-roll bars.
The only concern I have for the rear bar is if it will clear the exaust. (Not that I would mind geting rid of my current exaust)
The only concern I have for the rear bar is if it will clear the exaust. (Not that I would mind geting rid of my current exaust)
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Rep Power: 380 I have the 19mm too with the Greddy Evo exaust, and it rubs when ever I take a hard Right. :| I'm sick of the exaust now any way... Too loud, Too big, Most likely too heavy, and no extra power. basically a waste of $500. I'm just going to have some thing built, with 2 to 2.25" piping, and a decent (Quitet) flowing exaust. (With a tip no larger then the pipe entering it.. (No coffee can exaust tips please)).
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Originally Posted by Zzyzx
I have the 19mm too with the Greddy Evo exaust, and it rubs when ever I take a hard Right. :| I'm sick of the exaust now any way... Too loud, Too big, Most likely too heavy, and no extra power. basically a waste of $500. I'm just going to have some thing built, with 2 to 2.25" piping, and a decent (Quitet) flowing exaust. (With a tip no larger then the pipe entering it.. (No coffee can exaust tips please)).
Ahhh...not a big fan of rice huh?
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Rep Power: 314 Ok...I'm too lazy to search....so...
Are aftermarket sway bars, illegal for GS ? Would that put me into STS again?
If so.....I'm gonna leave the sway bars off for a while....at least two events.
Oh...and if I were to obtain a Civic Type-R LSD.....is that considered "aftermarket" ? Which would be illegal for STS....? Just curious as to whether or not I should save for one, or if it will just bump me into STX.....which is a NO NO for me...right now. lol
Are aftermarket sway bars, illegal for GS ? Would that put me into STS again?
If so.....I'm gonna leave the sway bars off for a while....at least two events.
Oh...and if I were to obtain a Civic Type-R LSD.....is that considered "aftermarket" ? Which would be illegal for STS....? Just curious as to whether or not I should save for one, or if it will just bump me into STX.....which is a NO NO for me...right now. lol
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Rep Power: 380 .. Stock allows you to change the front bar only. Lucky you. 
and LSDs arnt legal for STS (Only Stock Viscous Coupling ones are), Youd Have to run STX or STU
13.7 Anti Roll (Sway) Bars
Front anti-roll (sway) bars:
Substitution, addition or removal of any front anti-roll bars is permitted.
Substitution, addition or removal of anti-roll bars may serve no other purpose than that of an anti-roll bar.
The use of any bushing material is permitted.
No modification to the body, frame or other components to accommodate anti-roll bar addition or substitution is allowed, except for the drilling of holes for mounting bolts. Non-standard lateral members which connect between the brackets for the bar are not permitted.
Rear anti-roll (sway) bars:
May not be removed, replaced, or modified in any way.
and LSDs arnt legal for STS (Only Stock Viscous Coupling ones are), Youd Have to run STX or STU
13.7 Anti Roll (Sway) Bars
Front anti-roll (sway) bars:
Substitution, addition or removal of any front anti-roll bars is permitted.
Substitution, addition or removal of anti-roll bars may serve no other purpose than that of an anti-roll bar.
The use of any bushing material is permitted.
No modification to the body, frame or other components to accommodate anti-roll bar addition or substitution is allowed, except for the drilling of holes for mounting bolts. Non-standard lateral members which connect between the brackets for the bar are not permitted.
Rear anti-roll (sway) bars:
May not be removed, replaced, or modified in any way.
Last edited by Zzyzx; Jul 12, 2004 at 10:10 AM.
